Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Christian, Macon, and Sangamon Counties in Central Illinois

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Lincoln has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of central Illinois. This alert is effective immediately following radar indications of a severe weather cell moving through the region.

Affected Areas

The warning impacts the following geographic regions:

• North central Christian County
• East central Sangamon County
• West central Macon County

Specific locations in the path of the storm include Mechanicsburg (15 miles east of Springfield), Illiopolis, Mount Auburn, Niantic, and Harristown. The warning also covers Interstate 72 between mile markers 118 and 135.

What You Should Do

For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building immediately. People and animals outdoors are at risk of injury and should seek substantial shelter. Residents should prepare for potential damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles.

Expected Conditions

At 1:36 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Mechanicsburg, moving east at 55 mph. The following hazards have been identified via radar:

• Wind: Gusts up to 60 mph, capable of damaging trees and structures.
• Hail: Ping pong ball size hail (approximately 1.50 inches in diameter).
• Impact: Expect damage to vehicles, roofs, and siding. Tree damage is also likely due to high wind speeds.

Timeline

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 2:00 AM CDT on March 11, 2026. Additionally, a Tornado Watch remains in effect for central Illinois until 2:00 AM CDT.